Md. water pipe could return to use this weekend

OXON HILL — Water officials in Maryland say they hope to put a major water pipe back into service this weekend after repairs.

Work on the pipe has meant that hundreds of thousands of people in southern Prince George’s County have been under mandatory water restrictions since Tuesday evening. Officials originally said part of the county could be left without water for days during emergency repairs to the pipe, but workers were ultimately able to divert water to the area.

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission said Thursday that a new pipe had been put in to fix the failing section of 4 ½ foot diameter pipe. Officials said Friday they are waiting for the results of tests on water samples to confirm the water quality before putting the pipe back into service.